Early growth

Air quality management in British Columbia

Air quality is actively monitored throughout BC and the province is part of the national Air Quality Management System (AQMS). In this system provinces are divided into air zones that typically exhibit similar air quality characteristics. BC has seven air zones with Galiano in the Georgia Straight Air Zone, which includes communities such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Whistler, Squamish, and Powell River.

Air pollution – particulate matter (PM)

PM 2.5 refers to fine airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM 2.5). They are produced by many human activities and natural sources such as vehicle exhausts, forestry operations, woodstoves, wildfires, and wind. Fine particulate matter may have harmful effects on health.
PM 10 refers to all solid and liquid airborne particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (and include PM 2.5). PM 10 particles are highly variable depending on the source material. Many are formed by chemical or physical processes in the atmosphere. Inhaling PM10 may also be deleterious to health.
BC’s air quality objectives reflect the maximum acceptable level of various pollutants established in national air quality targets. The air quality objectives over a 24-hour period for PM 2.5 (24hr) and PM 10 (24hr) are an average of 25 ug/m3 and 50 ug/m3 .